topgun2

Similar to Reed, I keep a small mat for right outside the steps. It measures approximately 2.5 feet by 3.5 feet and is basically "astro-turf". I use this most of the time as it is great for getting most of the dirt/sand off prior to stepping into Twist. When I'm set-up for a stay of over a couple of days, I'll get the bigger mat out of the truck bed - it measures approximately 8 by ten feet. Bill

Yes, but, when my friends ask me to move the Ollie so that he can get his truck out at 5 am I'm not so happy. Perhaps we should have thought about that prior to that first glass of ....... Bill

Let me understand this - you, and ScubaRx were in the same place at the same time and someone was in bed at 9 pm? Either someone is getting old or supplies were low on the adult beverage front or there really was a tight schedule for the next day. I remember camping here when a nice young person lived in the little structure at the rear of the picture. About 2 am I got up and turned on the air conditioner in order to drown out the music he was playing. The next morning as I was leaving to head over to the factory the music was still playing and I was none too quiet in preparing to break "camp" at 6:30 am. Bill

Actually I use two separate runners - each about 6 feet long and an entry mat. I use the two runners because I find that they are easier to handle - particularly when shaking them outside - and, the one in the "bedroom" has a thicker pile which is nice on the tootsies. The runner in the kitchen is similar to those indoor/outdoor mats that can be rinsed off with a hose in the event something nasty gets spilled onto it. Of course they are matching colors! Bill

Jason Essary sent me the picture below this morning (thanks to Jason!). It shows the Oliver factory 2017 model installation. Bill

Bill - I really like those locks. As we all know, a determined thief can get into most anything, but, as far as the tonneaus that I've seen these keyed locks are stellar. The Bakflip is a bit difficult to get into as long as you remember to lock the tailgate - of course on my 2017 truck this happens every time you lock the doors. However, with the use of a well placed coat hanger, the crook is into the bed. Bill

I know a fair number of owners use a couple of "runners" all year round. I'm among them not only because I find a rug a bit more comfortable on the tootsies but it is easier to clean the floor by just taking the rugs outside, giving them a shake of two and laying them down again. Sure beats a vacuum and/or the old broom thing. Bill

MountainApple - I"m aware of at least one Elite II that has tank heaters and they were installed at the factory. The original owner was from South Carolina and did extensive winter job site camping in the North East. I know that this unit was sold about a year and a half ago, but, unfortunately, I do not remember to whom it was sold. While I've not done any extensive camping in my Oliver in consistently cold weather, it sounds like something is amiss here. With that big old cold air return vent on the street side of the isle I wouldn't think that it would be even possible to have that big a difference between the hulls (at least anywhere on the street side). Bill

I'm guessing Mass. (that's where MountainApple said he is monitoring temps inside his Oliver in another post).

Bill - I don't recall ever seeing the Diamondback when I was looking. Looks sharp! Can you fold the section nearest the tail gate all the way back over the center and front sections? Do all three sections "lock" into the bed rails/caps? I assume that the last section has some sort of lock on it. Bill

Geoff - Be a bit careful with this. Assuming that you are talking about the bubble level that is on the top of the front jack - these levels are spring loaded and are prone to being not terribly accurate. They get bumped and do not necessarily reset in the same position that they started with. Yes, you can use them to get close or "ballpark" level, but if you are particular then you will either need to use a regular level (two or three foot is good) or by making sure the camper is level once, place a couple of the "stick on" type levels where they are convenient to you and you will never have to go looking for a level again. Bill

You might want to give Jason Essary (at Oliver) a call at (cell) 931-295-6654 or (office) 931-796-6600 ext. 241. Bill

Steve&Betty - I had one of the buckles break. But I called Bakflip and they send me a whole bag of replacement parts - which of course I will now haul around with me for the rest of my life and probably never need. Bill

Along with the "rug" for the floor of the bed I also got the "rug" for the tailgate. I really didn't think that I'd like it all that much and that it just might either get in the way or have trouble keeping it firmly attached to the tail gate. None of those fears were well founded. Now, I can kneel on the gate without the knees screaming or simply sit on it without roasting buns. It was a great addition.

Boy, I'm starting to feel like the ugly step child - nothing here yet.

There seemed to be a fair amount of discussion on another thread (tailgate clearance) about truck bed covers, truck bed lighting and truck bed liners. So, I thought that I'd start a new thread to cover this type of thing. I too thought a long time about a topper (shell) or a tonneau cover for my new F-150. I decided on the tonneau because: I liked the look better, I didn't need a shell for storage (however, as Reed mentions, it would have been nice for those rainy times both setting up and fishing to be able to stand under the rear "door/hatch"), a shell would need to be removed when I hauled my motorcycle or anything taller than the shell, a shell is harder to see through both when towing and when not, and, generally a shell is more expensive. I wanted a "hard" tonneau cover because I felt that it would be more durable than the fabric ones and would look better too. Also, I could put or lay things on it without worrying they would make it sag or poke a hole in it. However, I didn't want one of the solid (one piece) tonneaus because it would have to be removed in order to haul my motorcycle or get a load of mulch or ... Most (if not all) of the tonneaus that I looked at required you to open the tailgate of the truck in order to close the cover, but, I found Bak-flip that had a model not requiring this - the Bak-Flip MX4 - Besides the tailgate feature, this model allows me to be able to haul the motorcycle or a load of mulch without having to remove the cover - just fold it up to whatever is necessary. And this folding can be done from either inside or outside the truck bed. Unfortunately, these things are not inexpensive - $750 - $900 depending on size and where you buy it. I also bought some rubber gasket material to help seal around the sides and bottom of the tailgate of the truck. This helps keep both moisture and dust out of the rear of the bed. Like Try2Relax, I bought a knock-off brand of Bedrug just to put on the floor. This allows me the ability to easily remove it if I want to haul that load of mulch. Also, it is much easier on the knees, helps pad the things I put in the bed and slightly reduces the amount that these things slide around. Finally, just yesterday, I added some additional LED lighting. The Ford comes with two LED lights near the tailgate of the truck. But with things loaded in the bed, dark nights, and/or the cover in the down position, it was difficult to easily see where things were up near the cab. So, I got "truck bed lighting" at WalMart (about $20) and installed it along each rail. This is a big improvement. If anyone is interested in doing this - just drop me a PM and I'll describe how I did it. Bill

Corcomi - You are one lucky human. First you get you Oliver - CONGRATULATIONS! Second you get to meet Mike and Carol while you are there - really nice people (but don't tell them I told you so). Third - you get to take a trip. I understand that by the middle of next week temps are supposed to take a dive here in the mid-south (high of 39 is forecast for Wednesday, December 6th). Be sure to take a bunch of pictures and give us a report. Bill

Scotty - I've always liked "Brew Yeti's". Certainly look forward to it. Bill p.s. Like Reed, I too store mine in a zip lock when I'm not using it. There can be a bit of grease around the edges of the ball cover and the zip lock helps keep that off stuff just in case.

Overland - Just leave them out in the sun for a couple of days and the odor tends to lessen. Bill

Scotty - You might want to try one of these if you get tired of the plastic bag and rubber band deal. https://www.amazon.com/Hidden-Hitch-42251-Trailer-Cover/dp/B000CO61X4/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1511975087&sr=8-6&keywords=hitch+ball+cover Bill

Don't you wish! It will hit the mid 60's here in Western North Carolina today (I'm going fishing in about an hour), but, we all know that it is coming. Weather report last night said that the long term forecast (two weeks out) showed below normal temps and wetter than normal moisture. Guess that means snow is probable at elevations above 3500 feet. On the other hand, I'm sure that Steve (ScubaRX) would welcome more Olivers on the Quartzsite visit scheduled for February. Bill

I too have a Kaito weather alert radio on that list along with: a five gallon Solar shower bag, and LED lights for the basement. Got an early present a couple of days ago of LED lights for the bed of the truck - I slaved them off the two lights that can stock in the truck bed and they work great. ShallowGal - be careful of that 5 gallon water bag. I've never had one that didn't leak after a short period of time. Primarily these leaks occur from the corners where the bag gets folded over and over. If you have the room to store it, I think that something like this makes better long term sense: https://www.amazon.com/Reliance-Products-Hydroller-Wheeled-Container/dp/B001QC78GK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1511965013&sr=8-1&keywords=8+gallon+water+container Bill

In my experience these types of regulations have been treated with a bit of a wink and a nod. I assume that basically these regs were put into place to help reduce the "partying" that was going on. I've never been approached as long as I was not terribly obvious - i.e. a can of beer in a koozie is difficult to discern from a can of soda in a koozie. Even a glass of wine (in a regular wine glass) has never been questioned. However, I don't recall having a bottle of ---------- just sitting out either. Bill

Yeah, but, now we can't call you "fluffy" anymore. Not a bad price for just about any topper. Bill

As a "normal" habit I go over every thing I purchase and make adjustments to either things that were not completed correctly (at least to my standards) in the first place or to make my life easier in the long run. Knowing Anita as I do, I'm sure that she was trying to make a "funny". But, for those that have had problems these things really don't seem to be too funny. Certainly better to make those adjustments in a place where one has the tools and supplies as opposed to being out in the middle of nowhere and suddenly having a real problem. Bill